This week we sit down with grime musician and producer FOOTSIE who made his name as part of the Newham Generals. He tells us about his new album and plans for the future as well as the differences of producing and performing. We also preview a mixtape of his new album mixed by DJ MS1.

HOW DID YOU GET YOUR START IN MUSIC? DID YOU RECEIVE MUCH SUPPORT?

When I was very young I started going to the studio with my dad who was a reggae drummer and producer. There I would pick up the drum sticks and I learned how to play.

In terms of my career though, my breakthrough came with my first pirate radio slot on Future FM 99.2. RIP to Breaker because he gave me and my crew, Bass Injection, the 7-9am slot.

As for support – not in my house. [Laughs] I had to sneak out and risk getting grounded! But as long as we had a tape of the set it was all worth it.

YOU’RE PART OF THE GRIME GROUP NEWHAM GENERALS WHICH HAS BEEN GOING SINCE 2003. HOW DID THE GROUP COME ABOUT?

Me, D Double E and Monkstar were all MC’s in Nasty Crew. I had heard Double in raves before and knew he was about in my area so we linked up. While we were in Nasty we started recording a couple bits with Monk who was a local lad as well. Nasty was a big crew and, as with a lot of crews, life got in the way. The crew disbanded and us three left and formed Newham Generals.

VERY FEW MUSICAL COLLABORATIONS LAST OVER A DECADE. HOW HAVE YOU AND D DOUBLE E BOTH STUCK TOGETHER FOR SO LONG?

Because we understand what we want out of music. We discuss things and make decisions together, so everyone is happy and no one is doing what they don’t want to.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE GRIME SCENE TODAY? DO YOU THINK IT HAS CHANGED SINCE YOU FIRST BROKE IN?

The scene’s changed a lot. What was the driving force before – pirate radio, raves – are not now. You could touch the scene back then – it was physical Not internet-based like it is now. But it’s still in a good place today. As time goes on more people are realising that Grime is a unique UK sound – just like Jungle and Drum and Bass.

WHO ARE YOUR MUSICAL INSPIRATIONS AND WHY DOES THEIR MUSIC RESONATE WITH YOU?

My Dad is my main inspiration because, as I said before, he took me to studio from early and showed me the ropes. Dr. Dre has always been a big inspiration too. He spits and produces and has been responsible for some of the greatest pieces of music ever made. He’s like the pinnacle of a MC that produces.

AS BOTH A PRODUCER AND MC, WHAT CHALLENGES DO THESE DISCIPLINES PRESENT TO YOU WHEN MAKING MUSIC?

The main challenge is to not neglect either area. It’s so easy to focus on one at the expense of the other. You have to put in 100%.

DO YOU FEEL THAT BEING AN MC IS MORE ABOUT THE PERSONA ON STAGE WHEREAS PRODUCING ALLOWS YOU TO FOCUS MORE ON THE MUSIC?

I think they go both hand in hand. If I make a beat that I know will work well, especially on stage, then the bars that go on that beat are just as important. Vocals are an added instrument. For me they are equally important.

YOU’VE TOURED WITH DIZZEE RASCAL SEVERAL TIMES. WHAT EXPERIENCE DID YOU GAIN FROM WORKING WITH HIM?

Handling big crowds and learning how to work them – especially if they aren’t responsive and need winning over. The thing to remember is you are not the main act, so you have to work hard to get love back. We come from a scene where we can spin a rave over in seconds so it was an interesting test.

YOUR NEW ALBUM KING ORIGINAL VOL. 3 DROPS ON MARCH 24TH. WHAT INSPIRED THE ALBUM?

King Original is an ongoing instrumental series. Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 came out last year and were retrospectives that gathered all the classic unreleased Footsie beats that people were always asking me about. All the positive feedback I got from those 2 releases, I poured into creating Vol. 3. Trying to create music that would be as timeless and have that same power. Vol. 3 brings you up to date with me as a producer. It’s got a much bigger sound to it and a real ‘live’ feel that takes it back to when it was all about raves and having impact. In fact, a lot of the tunes on Vol. 3 were road tested at raves and radio and got big responses. Sound-wise there are new textures in there, a bit of newer Trap-sounding stuff amongst the Grime and Dubstep.

DO YOU HAVE ANY FAVOURITE TRACKS ON THE ALBUM? WHY ARE THEY YOUR FAVOURITES?

My favourite changes day by day, but at the moment it’s ‘Cold Winter’ because it sounds nothing like what I’d usually do. The piano stabs and guitar give it this anthem-style sound and the drop is mental. ‘Battery’ is another favourite as is ‘Tekky’ which has this mad acid riff. As a producer I’m always trying to switch it up – I’d even say I don’t have a signature sound as such, just a focus on drums and bass. Outside that anything can run, and that’s what you hear on KO3.

These tracks are all favourites in a way because they show how versatile I am. No two tunes sound alike.

WHAT’S ON THE HORIZON FOR FOOTSIE? ANY PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?

Man loads of plans! Braindead Entertainment is the label and I’m just looking to push that further. This year we’re building up the Braindead schedule – I already have new releases penciled in from some different producers and artists I rate. Brakeman’s ‘Jack In The Box’ project we released last year did really well so I’ll be looking to do something similar again.

Next up for me though is a strong string of vocal projects. There’s a new NG single on the way that’s ready to go, and there are a handful of EP’s I’ve recorded with Double, Lay-Z and Big Narstie.

MS1 has his own radio slot on Deja every second Monday so lock in to that to keep up with the latest Footsie stuff.

Other than that, you can follow me on Twitter @footsie, like Footsie Newham on Facebook or follow me on Instagram under Itsfootsieagain.